STDs are a significant health challenge facing the United States. The Center for Disease Control estimates that nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in this country. Half of these new infections occur in young people aged 15–24, and account for almost $16 billion in health care costs. HPV is the most common sexual transmitted infection which can cause cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer was once the most common cause of cancer death among women. Today, it is entirely preventable with proper screening. The Pap test is one of the most effective ways to detect cervical cancer early and has reduced cervical cancer death by more than 70 percent since its introduction in the 1950s.

There are two screening tests that are used to detect cervical cancer: the Pap test which screens for precancerous cellular changes in the cervix; and the HPV test which identifies the presence and type of HPV infection. When both these tests are performed simultaneously, it is called co-testing. Talk to your doctor about which screening method is best for you.

Professional guidelines recommend women start getting the Pap test at age 21, then every three years. A Pap-plus-HPV test, or co-testing, is recommended for women between 30 and 65-years old every three to five years, regardless of whether they have received HPV vaccination.

Talk to your doctor about your sexual health and ask about appropriate preventative measures, such as vaccinations and screenings, to help you live a healthy life. For women under 30, be sure to ask about the Pap test, and for women 30 and older, make sure to ask about getting a combination of Pap-plus-HPV testing to screen for cervical cancer.

With the number of people who are diagnosed with cancer each year, there is a good chance you or someone you know is walking around without even knowing that cancer will soon be entering your life. The reality is that according to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed and a staggering 585,720 cancer deaths in the US.

Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly 1 out of every 4 deaths.

Here is a list of the top killer cancers and the screenings that could save the life of someone you love. Remember men and women with a genetic history of cancer ( ie. immediate family members, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) are considered high risk and should have screenings done sooner than these guidelines.

Lung Cancer is the most common form of cancer causing death in both females and males.

Screening: The USPSTF recommends annual screenings for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Screenings should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability to have curative lung surgery.

Prostate Cancer is the second most common form of cancer causing deaths in males.

Breast Cancer is the second most common form of cancer causing deaths in females.

Women, Age 50-74 Years : The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women 50-74 years.

Women, Before the Age of 50 Years : The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 years should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms. The USPSTF recommends against routinely providing the service. There may be considerations that support providing the service in an individual patient. There is at least moderate certainty that the net benefit is small.

Women, 75 Years and Older : The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years and older.

Colon & Rectum is the third most common form of cancer deaths for both males and females.

Screenings: Adults, beginning at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years. The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer using fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy in adults, beginning at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years. The risks and benefits of these screening methods vary.

Here's a good (no, FANTASTIC) excuse to have chocolate chip ice cream this morning instead of a bagel.

February 18th is Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day and the reason behind is a touching one. A family from Forest Lake, Minnesota started the sweet tradition to honor their daughter Malia, who died after battling cancer in 2010, as well as pay tribute to other children who lost their lives to cancer, support those fighting cancer, and to celebrate survivors.

In 2013, a group of about 50 close friends and family had a virtual birthday party for Malia, taking photos of themselves eating ice cream and posting the fun on Facebook.

"In the creative style of her spirit, people sent silly, crazy and smiling pictures from Malls, drive-thru's, kitchen tables, couches and cars," Annette Peterson, Malia's mother, said. "They were silly and crazy and smiling and laughing in every single picture, and as I sat in front of our computer screen at home the tears fell."

Then last year, it was suggested that the morning ice cream fun could become a national holiday to honor all children who are battling or had battled childhood cancer. Malia's family created a graphic to spread the word and it soon went viral, with thousands of people from over 12 countries joining and sharing.

"In grand Malia style, it's become so much bigger than our little family," Peterson told KMSP-TV in Minneapolis. "There are now people literally around the world who are going to join us in eating ice cream to honor, cheer on and remember all the childhood cancer warriors they know."

According to their Facebook page, people from over 83 different countries are supporting, remembering and celebrating the international holiday this Feb. 18, 2015. You can join in by eating ice cream and sharing your photos on their facebook page or on your own. When posting a pic

See who is joining the Peterson's, paying tribute to their loved ones who have cancer. If you want to join, simply post a photo of your morning sweet treat with the tags #icecreamforbreakfast and #kidsgetcancertoo.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. Although you run a higher risk if you have family history of colon cancer, many people are fooled into thinking it will not happen to them if it doesn’t run in their family.

The best prevention is a colonoscopy starting at the age of 50 for those with no identified risk factors. Risk factors include lifestyle choices like diet, weight and activity level as well as smoking and heavy alcohol use. Non-lifestyle risk factors include family history, age, inflammatory bowel syndrome which includes colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Prevention Is Key

If you have family history of colorectal cancer you should have early screening if:

At least three relatives have colorectal cancer, and one relative is a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child).

At least two successive generations are involved.

At least one relative had their cancer when they were younger than 50.

The American Cancer Society reminds us of the five reasons you should have Colon Cancer screening.

Kids

Friends

Extended family

Your future

Yourself

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because is can take 10-15 years for abnormal cells to develop into cancerous ones.

Today is World Cancer Day and everyone on social media is ready to kiss cancer goodbye! To join the movement, share a kiss of any kind with a friend, partner or even your furry friend using hashtag #KissCancerGoodbye. World Cancer Day is dedicated to bringing about awareness of cancer while encouraging prevention, detection and treatment.

Each shared photo will help raise awareness. Get your friends or family involved by tagging them in one of your photos. Here are some great photos people have already shared.